The Czech Barbora Krejcikova, winner of Roland-Garros two years ago and former world number 2, won the WTA 500 tournament in San Diego on Saturday by beating the American Sofia Kenin (6-4, 2-6, 6-4 ). Krejcikova, 27 years old and 13th in the WTA rankings, thus won the seventh title of her career and the second this year, after the 1000 tournament in Dubai in February, where she beat the Polish Iga Swiatek, world number 1 in the final. era.
The Czech won after a tough battle of 2 hours and 38 minutes against Kenin, 93rd in the world and winner of the Australian Open in 2020. A great doubles specialist – which she also won straight away in San Diego -, Barbora Krejcikova was notably more efficient on her put in play (11 aces against only 3 for her opponent) and in return of service, in particular on Kenin’s second balls (nearly 70% of points won) .
“I shouldn’t have been here,” reacted the Czech, who benefited from a last-minute invitation. “I really want to thank them (the organizers, Editor’s note). It was really special. I really enjoyed my week,” added the player, after collecting her trophy and… the surfboard dedicated to the winner. Thanks to her journey in Southern California, Barbora Krejcikova will re-enter the Top 10, just ahead of Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia (11th), eliminated in the quarter-finals. Krejcikova reached 2nd place in the world at the start of the 2022 season, before finishing the year in 21st place. Sofia Kenin didn’t waste her week either, as she will climb 40 places on Monday, reaching 53rd position.
